Why everyone should live on an island

It’s the best thing I EVER did. I moved to Magnetic Island for a whole winter. I couldn’t face another dismal, bone-chillingly cold winter in Melbourne – I wanted to feel the sun every day on my body and swim in the sea in July.

This is what I learnt about island living, which might come in handy if you feel like having your own Cast Away experience (but with power, hot water and access to a dentist).

Don’t rush… ever

You’re on island time now. Of course they drive slower ‘round these parts and there’ll often be someone who wants to stop you for a chat. Sometimes drivers stop in the middle of the road to do so. Don’t toot your horn, it’s just island living.

Don’t judge books by their covers

The sorts of people you might’ve rushed to avoid in your city streets are often the biggest characters, who’ll provide the greatest rewards if you befriend them. Some of my best memories of Magnetic Island were spent with a crazy old bloke called Bob who lived on the beach with birds and was married to a turtle.

Swim each and every day

Remember: you live on an island. And what are islands surrounded by: the sea, of course. You came here to connect with nature, so, connect… each and every day. Don’t let a bit of rain put you off – you’re going to get wet anyway.

Let Facebook go, emails aren’t that important and The Voice will be back on again next year.

Never go to an island worried about modem speed and available digital TV channels. That all belongs in the big place across the sea… Australia. Leave the TV off, only check emails once a day (maximum), and forget about Facebook unless you really feel the need to brag.

Reconnect… just before you head back

Whether you live on an island or you’re just visiting, getting back into the real world can scare the stuffings out of you if you jump back into it too quickly. It’s easy to block the world out, but it might be an idea to scan the news headlines the day before you leave to dull the shock!

Don’t do anything you wouldn’t want every person knowing

Because they will; simple as that. Everyone knows everyone’s business, and it doesn’t even matter if you live here or not, visitors don’t escape the island telegraph. I got a hire car stuck on a dirt track once and the hire car people knew about it long before I got the car back.

Buy some milk thistle for your liver

There’s something about being surrounded by all that water that makes a person want to increase the amount of liquid in their body. There’s also something about a perfect sunset slipping into an empty ocean that makes you want to toast it. Watching MasterChef in your dark lounge room hardly invokes the same daily celebration instinct.

Take time out to stare

Don’t visit an island with a fixed agenda. You’d be surprised how many things there are to look at: Brahminy Kites circling on the thermals, whales in winter, dolphins year-round, rare dugongs making a public appearance. Allow some time to lie in a hammock and check it all out.

Play golf

Chances are the local golf club of any island will be the place where the biggest larrikins gather. Even if you can barely hit a club, take the time to knock a few balls around and escape the tourists for a while.

Go bush

The rewards will be worth it. All it takes is a five-minute stroll – even from a resort complex – and you’ll find some of the most pristine environment in Australia. Too many people make the mistake of spending all their time on the beach (or by their pool!), but trekking in the Aussie bush gives you a whole new perspective on what else is living on the island.

Author

Craig Tansley grew up in Polynesia and Byron Bay (and his mum lives on a boat sailing up and down the Queensland coast) so he never had a choice – spending time finding action and adventure in the sunshine is part of his DNA. Now based in Melbourne, Craig’s a full-time travel writer working for some of the country’s biggest publications and websites. He’s on the road at least half of the year – home’s just where his mail goes to.

I am lucky enough to live on Macleay Island which is part of the Southern Bay Islands – in Moreton Bay.. there is no bridge only car and passenger ferries — Whenever I commute to the mainland, I can’t wait to return to my island home.. Give me kookaburras and curlews above traffic and chaos any day!

Anita Mckellar

I often wonder why there are never competition for older people (65 plus) to enter into for this sort of thing. There would be a few takers who would thoroughly appreciate and enjoy it all. We are not over the hill yet.